Winter storms and canceled blood drives have put a strain on Red Cross blood supply
The American Red Cross is reissuing its emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now after multiple snow storms, frigid temperatures and the government shutdown have further reduced lifesaving donations.
In January, more than 4,600 Red Cross blood and platelet donations went uncollected as blood drives were forced to cancel due to severe winter weather blanketing parts of the U.S., and additional cancellations are expected this week. Weather travel advisories may cause even more donors to delay their planned donations.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities within 8 miles of Hartford CC between Jan. 29-Feb. 28 are:
| Date | Place |
|---|---|
| 2/5/2019: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Goodwin College Riverside, One Riverside Drive |
| 2/8/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer Street |
| 2/24/2019: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Cabela's, 475 East Hartford Blvd. North |
| 1/30/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | American Red Cross Farmington Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Ave |
| 2/2/2019: 6:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | American Red Cross Farmington Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Avenue |
| 2/6/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | American Red Cross Farmington Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Ave |
| 2/9/2019: 6:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | American Red Cross Farmington Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Avenue |
| 2/13/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | American Red Cross Farmington Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Ave |
| 2/16/2019: 6:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | American Red Cross Farmington Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Avenue |
| 2/20/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | American Red Cross Farmington Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Ave |
| 2/23/2019: 6:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | American Red Cross Farmington Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Avenue |
| 2/27/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | American Red Cross Farmington Blood Donation Center, 209 Farmington Ave |
| 2/21/2019: 1 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. | The Academy Building, 2143 Main St |
| 2/25/2019: 1:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. | Congregation Kol Haverim, 1079 Hebron Ave |
| 1/30/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Hartford Square North, 10 Columbus Blvd |
| 1/31/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Greater Hartford Classical Magnet School, 85 Woodland Street |
| 1/31/2019: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Mt Sinai Campus, 500 Blue Hills Ave |
| 2/11/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | 242 Trumbull Street, 242 Trumbull Street |
| 2/5/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Manchester Community College, Great Path |
| 2/5/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Howell Cheney Technical High School, 791 Middle Turnpike W |
| 2/4/2019: 11 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Central Connecticut State University Student Center, Ella Grasso Blvd |
| 2/5/2019: 11 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Central Connecticut State University Student Center, Ella Grasso Blvd |
| 2/6/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Central Connecticut State University Student Center, Ella Grasso Blvd |
| 2/27/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | South Windsor Library, 1550 Sullivan Avenue |
| 2/11/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Universalist Church, 433 Fern Street |
| 2/20/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | University of St. Joseph, 1678 Asylum Avenue |
| 2/25/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. | St Thomas The Apostle, 872 Farmington Avenue |
| 2/26/2019: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | West Hartford Town Hall, 50 South Main St |
| 2/8/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Addison Corporate Center, 175 Addison Road |
The federal government shutdown also affected donations as more than 4 percent of Red Cross blood collections come from drives sponsored by military and local, state and federal government agencies. About 30 blood drives hosted by federal offices were canceled across the country due to the shutdown, leaving more than 900 donations uncollected.
“Disruptions to blood and platelet donations jeopardize the availability of blood for patients who depend on transfusions for survival,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “We’re grateful for all those who have come out to give since we issued our emergency call earlier this month and now urge others to come out and give to prevent delays in essential medical care.”
Right now, Red Cross blood donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in, and there is less than a three-day supply of most blood types on hand. The Red Cross strives to maintain a five-day supply of blood to meet the needs of patients and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood products.
All eligible donors, especially platelet donors and blood donors with type O blood, are urgently needed to help restock the shelves for hospital patients. Donation appointments can be easily scheduled by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
There is still time for donors to receive a special thank-you for helping save lives in January, National Blood Donor Month. All donors who give blood or platelets in January at Red Cross blood drives in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island will receive a $5 Dunkin’ Gift Card via email.*
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school
students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org.